Caitlin Clark, impressive rookie season reached new heights on Wednesday night when she set the WNBA’s single-game assist record with 19 in the Indiana Fever’s 101-93 loss to the Dallas Wings. Alongside her record-breaking assists, she tallied 24 points and six rebounds, making her the first player in WNBA history to record a 20-point, five-rebound, 15-assist game.
“She’s gonna say [the record] means nothing,” said Aliyah Boston. “But I think that’s pretty cool.”
Clark’s previous career-high in assists was 13, achieved four times. Early in the game, it became evident she might surpass that against a Wings team known for defensive struggles and a fast-paced playstyle. Clark matched her career-high by the third quarter.
As the game progressed, Clark exceeded her personal best and targeted Ticha Penicheiro’s single-game rookie record of 16 assists, followed by Courtney Vandersloot’s all-time record of 18 assists. She quickly passed both marks in a two-minute spree, assisting on four consecutive Fever baskets to reach 19 assists for the night.
“Nineteen assists is incredible,” said Fever coach Christie Sides. “That’s incredible.”
The record-breaking assist came with two minutes remaining when Kelsey Mitchell hit a 3-pointer to tie the game at 88-88. Clark had multiple opportunities to achieve 20 assists, but the Wings pulled away with a 13-5 run in the closing minutes.
Ironically, Clark’s best pass of the night didn’t result in an assist. It was a behind-the-back feed to Aliyah Boston that led to two free throws.
“I just try to set my teammates up for success,” Clark said. “I think at times I can almost over-pass, and there probably could have been a few times where instead of passing that leads to a turnover I can probably shoot the ball. But especially with AB, I’m just looking to set her up so much. My eyes are always on our post players… and then kinda look out from there.”
In addition to the single-game record, Caitlin Clark also broke the Fever’s single-season assist record on Wednesday. She needed just 26 games to surpass Erica Wheeler’s previous mark of 201 assists. Clark now has 213 assists this season and is approaching Ticha Penicheiro’s single-season rookie record of 225, set in 1998. The all-time single-season assist record of 316, set by Alyssa Thomas last season, is also within reach if Clark maintains her current pace.
Clark is currently averaging 8.2 assists per game, which leads the league and would be the highest average for a rookie in WNBA history. Vandersloot holds the record for highest per-game assists at 10, set during the COVID-19-shortened 2020 season.
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